Sensitive nature poet at work

Reviewed by R. S. Karunaratne

The first stage of creative art and writing begins with nature and its myriad forms. Sometimes, a creative artist or writer observes nature to create something new. So, we have many art forms such as poetry, songs, paintings and dance.

Dr. B. M. C. Dassanayake’s “Mul” (Roots) is an attempt at writing poetry after observing the wonders of nature. A poet, unlike any other person, sees beauty in whatever he looks at even when people are not interested in art in general and poetry in particular.

“Mul” Author: Dr. B. M. C. Dassanayake A Kadulla publication

Dr. Dassanayake is one such poet who writes on various nature-related topics even when others may not be interested in such creations.

Like many medical practitioners, Dr Dassanayake too writes poetry based on his firsthand experiences. For instance, let’s have a look at the poem entitled “Rajek” (A king) which appears on page 21.

Here he sees an ordinary farmer seated on his deserted field brushing his teeth with the peel of an arecanut. He knows that the price of fertiliser is skyrocketing. But he remains unmoved by such mundane matters.

While he is seated there his wife is waiting for his return. She expects him to bring something to cook for their meagre lunch. However, as he does not return till noon, she begins to make a rotti.

The farmer sees the iron gates of a rich man’s house. He remembers the reminder sent by the bank to pay up the interest for the loan he had obtained to buy fertiliser. The poet does not know whether he is frowning or laughing at the letter.

In this poem the poet draws our attention to the pathetic situation where the rice-producing farmer has fallen into. The language he has used enhances the pathos effectively. Through the short poem he has moved the reader to tears.

Out of the 48 poems included in the book, the following is a successful attempt at portraying the pathetic plight of the farmer. The poem entitled “Ipaneli” depicts a modern family with four sons who are serving in the army.

They squander their money through chain smoking and buying unnecessary gold ornaments. The daughters are not to be outwitted. They wear gold bangles and expensive saris. Their husbands attend parties at hotels.

Their poor mother spends her time in the small kitchen cooking meals for them. She has no gas or electric furnaces. So, she lights the traditional hearth by inserting dried twigs into it. She always feels for her children and wipes away tears with the back of her palm. Meanwhile, her husband works alone in the field while the storks are picking worms.

Although much can be lost in translation, here is the English version of the poem entitled “Mul” (Roots).

Filling marshylands growing the asphalt jungle

Nedun palu weera cut and polished

Artificial waterfall fed by tap water

The palace remain locked and barred

The polluted air in the city

Freshened and perfumed

There’s a power failure

The ponds are dried up

Stench of drains spreads everywhere

Leaving the city and going abroad

Paying the dues using the credit card

In the forest you see elephants dance

What are you thinking so deep

Drinking water from the clay pot

Having a dip in the village stream

Resting under the kumbuk tree

Is this not enough for you?

Taken as a whole, “Mul” is a silent testimony to the poet’s creative abilities. His poems appeal to our emotions and enhance our awareness of the value of nature.

Ahasa Ahimi Kurullo

Geeth Gunasekara’s latest Sinhala novel Ahasa Ahimi Kurullo will be launched at the National Library and Documentation Services Board auditorium on July 6 at 3.30 p.m.

The launching ceremony will be presided over by Ramal Siriwardena. Sundara Nihathamani de Mel, Jatila Wellaboda and Karunaratne Amarasinghe will address the meeting. Asela Bandaranayake will compere the proceedings.

Ahasa Ahimi Kurullo is a Dayawansa Jayakody publication.